Officer Jeremiah Goodson (Source: Reprinted with permission from The Robesonian)

LUMBERTON, NC (WMBF) – The Robeson County District Attorney's Office stated Wednesday it will seek the death penalty in the case of the fatal shooting of an off-duty Lumberton Police officer.

A Columbus County man was arrested Tuesday night in connection to the murder of Officer Jeremiah Goodson.

Marques Ramon Brown, 27 of Whiteville, was charged with the murder of Master Police Officer Jeremiah Montgomery Goodson Jr. at a gas station just off Interstate 95 late Tuesday morning.

According to Captain Johnny Barnes with the Lumberton Police Department, Goodson spotted a wanted suspect in a vehicle at the Express Depot on Fayetteville Road around 11 a.m.

Goodson proceeded to call for assistance, and waited for back-up to arrive before pulling up to the suspect's car.

At that time, Barnes says, Brown began firing shots from his vehicle. At least one of those shots wounded Goodson.

The patrol officer that responded to assist held the suspect at gunpoint until Brown was taken into custody, Barnes says.

Barnes confirms on Wednesday that Brown had a child passenger in the vehicle when shots were fired, but the exact age or relationship is unknown.

Goodson was transported to Southeastern Regional Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. Hunt tells WMBF News that Goodson's wife is expecting a child.

Goodson transferred to the police department from public works in 2006, and has been employed with the city since 2000. He most recently held the rank of Master Police Officer, Hunt recalls.

During a press conference, Police Chief Michael McNeil referred to Goodson as a gang officer.

Noelle Talley with the North Carolina Department of Justice confirms that the NC State Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the shooting investigation.

Prior to Tuesday's shooting incident, Brown was wanted out of Robeson County for two counts of failure to appear for possession of a weapon by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon. He also had three warrants from Columbus County, one of which was for resisting a police officer.

District Court Trial Coordinator Louise Lassiter tells WMBF News that Brown was denied bond in a court hearing at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Though incarcerated at the Robeson County Detention Center, Brown appeared before District Court Judge William Jeffrey Moore by video.

Brown's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1. He will be appointed an attorney by the Indigent Defense Service, Lassiter comments.